Overview

An insightful new resource that looks at the rise of American hip hop as a series of distinct regional events, with essays covering the growth of hip hop culture in specific cities across the nation. Thoroughly researched, thoroughly in tune with the culture, Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide profiles two dozen specific hip hop scenes across the United States, showing how each place shaped a singular identity. Through its unique geographic perspective, it captures the astonishing diversity of a genre that has captivated the nation and the world. In two volumes organized by broad regions (East Coast, West Coast and Midwest and the Dirty South), Hip Hop in America spans the complete history of rap—from its 1970s origins to the rap battles between Queens and the Bronx in the 1980s, from the well-publicized East Coast vs. West Coast conflicts in the 1990s to the rise of the Midwest and South over the past ten years. Each essay showcases the history of the local scene, including the MCs, DJs, b-boys and b-girls, label owners, hip hop clubs, and radio shows that have created distinct styles of hip hop culture. 24 essays in two volumes on U.S. cities that have developed distinctive hip hop identities, from New York and Los Angeles to surprising locations such as Minneapolis and Honolulu 20 contributors, each an established expert with connections to the location they are describing Nearly 100 images of key personalities, clubs, cities, and scenes A chronology highlighting the pivotal moments in the history of hip hop in the United States, from its African and Caribbean origins to the recent rise of Southern rap (Outkast, Ludacris, Lil Wayne) A rich bibliography of print and online sources for further exploration A comprehensive index of people, places, songs, and terms

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9780313343216

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Reviews

This set provides an excellent historical perspective of the development of hip-hop music and culture in the United States. Urban public libraries and academic libraries supporting curricula in modern culture, sociology, and yes, even music, will find it a welcome addition to their music collections. - Library Journal, Starred Review This two-volume reference profiles 23 local hip hop scenes across the US, from the Bronx to Honolulu, with a particular focus on the social contexts that fostered the hip hop styles of each region. Writing is intended to appeal to students and fans, but with an academic perspective that meets curriculum standards for history and culture. A 20-page introduction reviews the importance of geographical location in hip hop. Volume I covers the East and West coasts, and Volume II covers the Midwest, the South, and beyond. Each regional essay describes the history and current status of the local scene, touching on influential artists, label owners, clubs, and radio shows. The reference is illustrated with about 100 B&W photos of personalities and clubs, and includes interviews with key figures, a chronology, and indexes of people, places, songs, and terms. - Reference & Research Book News Hess' lengthy introduction and detailed time line demonstrate the depth in which he has researched this topic, making this work an important addition to public or academic libraries. - Booklist This title offers a few fascinating twists that others books on the topic don't. . . . this is a must-have for hip-hop fans. - School Library Journal

<p> Hess' lengthy introduction and detailed time line demonstrate the depth in which he has researched this topic, making this work an important addition to public or academic libraries. - <p>Booklist

Author Information

Mickey Hess is assistant professor of English at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ. He is the editor of Greenwood's Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Music, Movement, and Culture and his previous works include Praeger's Is Hip Hop Dead? The Past, Present, and Future of America’s Most Wanted Music.

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